Several years ago we noticed a startling trend at Malvern Hill. We had no problem getting people to visit our church and get involved. Often, they even joined. But, six months or a year later, we struggled to keep them. Our front door was welcoming, but we had to find a way to close the back door.
Through trial and error, we learned a few things. Here are five steps you can take to close the back door of your church and keep people engaged.
#1 Commit to Discipleship.
As pastor, I love it when people brag on my preaching and our worship services. Good preaching and worship will bring people into your church, but strong discipleship will keep them.
#2 Prioritize Pastoral Care
Keep in mind that “pastoral care” doesn’t have to mean from a “pastor.” You just have to find a way to make sure that people get cared for as you grow. No one ever complained because they got too many calls when something went wrong in their life, but many have complained that no one called. Create a system to keep people from falling through the cracks. At MHBC, there are three levels of pastoral care: LifeGroups, Deacons, and pastoral staff. If all goes well, a person in crisis is ministered to at all three levels. But, even if one person or ministry drops the ball, hopefully they get ministry from the other two places.
#3 Get Smaller
The larger you get, the smaller you have to feel. Rather than give in to the temptation to become more “corporate” as you grow, do small things well. Send birthday and anniversary cards. Celebrate births. Create a system so that sick and homebound people get visited. Lead a new-members class. Show up at a few little league games.
#4 Involve Others
Do not feel guilty when you ask for help or volunteers. The people in your church want to be needed and have a purpose. Involve them in the work and the decisions. Recruit for VBS or a church-wide workday. When people get involved in the work and ministry of the church, the develop a healthy sense of ownership within the ministry.
#5 Avoid Gimmicks
Remember, what gets people into your church is what you must do to keep them. If you base your strategy for attracting visitors on gimmicks and tricks, you will have to continue to be gimmicky to keep them.
How have you closed the back door in your ministry?
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
